On Feb. 15, Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura indicated that the mass-participation discipline of 20,000 for the Osaka Marathon‘s tenth operating on Feb. 27 is to be lower and that the race will go forward with solely its elite discipline of 300. The race is collectively organized by the Osaka metropolitan and prefectural governments.
In response to a query from a reporter, Governor Yoshimura acknowledged, “The ultimate resolution is to be made by the organizing committee, however I consider that the mass-participation part of the Osaka Marathon will probably be canceled. I would like to precise my remorse to all of the newbie runners who had ready for this race with anticipation, however given the present actuality of the pandemic numbers, from the attitude of combatting additional unfold of the virus I ask in your understanding of the choice to cancel.”
With regard to refunding entry charges, the governor mentioned, “That could be a resolution to be made by the organizers, however I feel refunds ought to be given to those that need them. There can even be those that need to roll their entries over to subsequent yr, so I feel {that a} system have to be put in place to accommodate particular person selections.”
This yr the Osaka Marathon is ready to increase its elite discipline, incorporating the group of the now-defunct elite men-only Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon. The elite race performs a key position in worldwide competitors. As a part of the JAAF’s new Japan Marathon Championships sequence it helps decide nationwide groups for each this yr’s Oregon World Championships and Hangzhou Asian Video games. It’s also an important a part of qualification for the Marathon Grand Championship 2024 Olympic marathon trials. Governor Yoshimura expressed his help for the elite race going forward, saying, “The extent of competitors could be very excessive, and it’s a part of nationwide workforce choice.”
Translator’s notice: Osaka mayor Ichiro Matsui confirmed the scenario, saying, “With regard to mass-participation runners this time, we is not going to be having them take part.”
大阪マラソン、エリートの部だけに規模縮小の模様です。たぶん本日中に正式発表 pic.twitter.com/4x3jxQb1b8
— 一生無気力のナガソエ (@ziku77) February 15, 2022
supply article:
translated by Brett Larner
